The mother, who lives on a sugarcane farm north of Durban, blocked the attacker from getting to the little girl, who ran and hid behind a couch, Briefly.co.za learned.

IPSS Medical Rescue spokesman Paul Herbst said the fight left the mother with serious injuries to her arms, and it was her screams that warded off the man.

The mother's wounds were treated by paramedics on the scene and she was stable before they transported her to a nearby hospital.

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